A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Newcastle upon Tyne vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a high energy, livable, and cultural port city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

You'll generally find more things to do in Birmingham than Newcastle upon Tyne. Birmingham is bigger than Newcastle upon Tyne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Birmingham is better known for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Newcastle upon Tyne is more popular for its food and historical sights. Newcastle upon Tyne is well known for its compact and livable atmosphere as well as its active nightlife scene. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square.

How is Newcastle upon Tyne different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Many visitors head to Newcastle upon Tyne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many historic and cultural sights around town. Some of the most interesting include the Historic Tyne Bridges, the Millennium Bridge, the Castle, Newcastle Cathedral, and the Great North Museum: Hancock.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Newcastle upon Tyne is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Newcastle upon Tyne is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Newcastle upon Tyne is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city is known for its food and there are some interesting local flavors that you should try. For something unique, try the singing hinny (sweet bread), pan haggerty (similar to potato gratin), stottie cake (bread) or craster kippers (smoked herring). You'll also find a diversity of cosmopolitan restaurants around town.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham.

Newcastle upon Tyne has a large number of nightlife venues. Because of the large student population, you'll find a very active nightlife scene. There are several party districts in the city that you should check out including Quayside, the Gate, the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market, and Dean Street.

Birmingham is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Newcastle upon Tyne is not a live music destination.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Newcastle upon Tyne is not a live music destination.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for its Old Town?

Newcastle upon Tyne is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Newcastle upon Tyne. Known as Grainger Town, the city's historic commercial center is famous for its Georgian and Victorian buildings.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Newcastle upon Tyne. The city has boutique shops as well as major shopping malls. Some of the best shopping areas include the pedestrian shopping street of Northumberland Street, the historic Grey Street, and Grainger Market.

Birmingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Newcastle upon Tyne. Kids will love visiting the Newcastle Castle, but there are also ropes courses and the Victoria Tunnel Tours. Museum lovers will enjoy a visit to Discovery Museum, the Life Science Center, or Beamish, the Living Museum of the North.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a very popular place for couples. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Birmingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a nice destination for couples. The city boasts many romantic walks as well as fine dining restaurants and interesting entertainment options. It's not hard to enjoy a fun date night out on the town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Newcastle upon Tyne is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Newcastle upon Tyne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels to choose from and plenty of entertainment choices so you shouldn't have much trouble meeting other people.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Newcastle upon Tyne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a large student population and a lively nightlife scene, so it's a fun place for students to spend a semester or more.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Newcastle upon Tyne is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne can move around easily with public transportation. There are bus, ferry, and light rail services in the city.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Newcastle upon Tyne is an amazing port city to visit for its walkability. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a very easy port city to get around on foot. The city is one of the most walkable in the UK.

Birmingham is a very walkable port city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Newcastle upon Tyne Worth Visiting? and Is Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Newcastle upon Tyne?

How long in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

In either Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Newcastle upon Tyne because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Newcastle upon Tyne, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Newcastle upon Tyne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Birmingham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Birmingham than Newcastle upon Tyne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Birmingham that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Newcastle upon Tyne than Birmingham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Newcastle upon Tyne.

One day in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

With museums and nightlife around the livable port city of Newcastle upon Tyne, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Newcastle upon Tyne, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Many people visit Birmingham for a weekend. Lots of people come for the live music. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Newcastle upon Tyne, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the museums and theater that this destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend five days here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most.

A week in Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Newcastle upon Tyne is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. This city offers something for everyone. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Newcastle upon Tyne Expensive? and Is Birmingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Newcastle upon Tyne. When comparing the sizes of Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham. The summer months attract visitors to Newcastle upon Tyne because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

In the summer, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Birmingham averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Newcastle upon Tyne as well as Birmingham. The shopping scene are the main draw to Newcastle upon Tyne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Newcastle upon Tyne is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne average around 10°C (49°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Newcastle upon Tyne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Newcastle upon Tyne. Newcastle upon Tyne is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the winter. The daily temperature in Newcastle upon Tyne averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Newcastle upon Tyne. In January, Newcastle upon Tyne usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Newcastle upon Tyne or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Newcastle upon Tyne is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Newcastle upon Tyne in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Birmingham averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Newcastle upon Tyne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Newcastle upon Tyne usually gets more rain in April than Birmingham. Newcastle upon Tyne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne